Most Recent Articles by
Tania Hossain
Community
Planet Virginia 2025: A Good Day For The Planet
Planet Virginia 2025 took place on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. The...
Enviroment
Forest Bathing: Rediscovering Nature’s Quiet Healing
In an age marked by relentless stress and daily digital bombardment, the practice of forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, emerges as a vital counterbalance. Originating...
Opinion
Your Actions, Our Climate: Fairfax Needs You Now (op-ed by John Morrill, Director, Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC))
2024 was the hottest year ever recorded in Fairfax County. Extreme weather and high energy bills are hitting many households hard. From prolonged heatwaves...
Business
Kader’s Barbershop: Fairfax City’s Trusted Grooming Destination
Kader’s Barbershop has been a cornerstone of the Fairfax City community, offering exceptional men's grooming services with a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction....
Entertainment
October 8: The Fight for the Soul of America
"October 8" (also titled "October H8TE – The Fight for the Soul of America") is a 2025 documentary directed by Wendy Sachs and co-produced...
News
Virginia Colleges Dismantle DEI Programs Amid Political Pressure
In recent months, we have been reading in the media from AP News to Axios, about several Virginia colleges and universities that have begun dismantling their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in response to political pressures and potential federal funding implications. This trend aligns with broader national movements influenced by directives from the Trump administration and state-level leadership.
City
Popular Annual Financial Report
The City of Fairfax published its very first Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR), which provides a snapshot of the city’s financial activities during fiscal...
News
Sign the Petition: Havabite’s Last Cry for Help
Havabite Eatery, a cherished family-owned restaurant in Old Town Fairfax will be closing its doors at 10416 Main Street on March 31, 2025, after 47 years of serving the community. Havabite Eatery is a staple in the Old Town Fairfax, offering homemade Greek, Italian, and American cuisines.
Wellness
The Rise of Shuffle Dance
Shuffle dance, an energetic and captivating style, emerged from Melbourne's underground rave scene in the 1980s. Known for its fast footwork and smooth gliding motions, it has become a global phenomenon, thanks to social media.
Read Now
One Journey to Make Pride Celebrations Across Northern Virginia Within Reach
Pride Month is a celebration of courage, community, and the freedom to live authentically. It’s a time to recognize the progress that has been made toward equality, while also honoring the resilience of LGBTQ+ people whose voices, stories, and advocacy continue to make our communities stronger.
Bringing the World Home: Au Pair Program Charms Families in Northern Virginia
The au pair program, specifically through organizations like Cultural Care Au Pair, is a cultural exchange program designed to promote mutual understanding between Americans and international participants that is facilitated by the US Department of State. Unlike traditional childcare, an au pair is a vetted young adult from another country who lives with a host family, providing personalized care while engaging in a deep cultural exchange, according to Cultural Care.
City FY2027 Budget: Taxes, BPOL, Meals Tax, and the Cost of Funding Growth
City of Fairfax, VA - The Fiscal Year 2027 (FY2027) budget for City of Fairfax outlines a broad financial plan that increases funding for schools, infrastructure, and public services while relying on a diversified set of revenue sources. Rather than a single large tax hike, the city spreads revenue adjustments across property taxes, business taxes, meals tax, hotel tax, and utility fees, creating a gradual but noticeable increase in overall costs for residents and businesses.
Fairfax County Adopts $5.7 Billion FY2027 Budget, Slightly Lowers Tax Rate
Fairfax County, VA - Fairfax County officials adopted a roughly $5.7 billion FY 2027 General Fund budget, maintaining spending across schools, public safety, transportation, health services, and infrastructure while navigating rising costs in staffing, healthcare, and long-term capital needs. The Board of Supervisors approved the plan in May, along with a quarter-cent reduction in the real estate tax rate to about $1.12 per $100 of assessed value.
Fairfax High School Sophomore steps on the World Stage this Summer
Drum Corps International (DCI), often described as the “Major League of Marching Band,” will welcome Fairfax High School sophomore Mickey Johnson to its World Class ranks this summer. Mickey has been selected to perform as a baritone player with Music City, a DCI World Class corps based in Nashville, Tennessee, for the 2026 season.
A Labor of Love and Legacy: Val Morgan Honors City of Fairfax Veterans
On Memorial Day it isn't only flowers blooming in the City of Fairfax. On that day each year, the city's historic cemetery sprouts hundreds of American flags, each marking the grave of a veteran. Some might think that the city pays someone to place flags, or that...
Fairfax City Budget Hearing Highlights Proposed Tax Increases and Spending Priorities
City officials have introduced a proposed FY2027 budget of approximately $207.5 million, representing about a 4.5% increase over the current year. The proposal is driven largely by rising costs in education, debt service, and employee compensation.
Tigers, Burning Bright at Gandhi Memorial Center, Bethesda
Photographer Kunal Krishan Singh, whose photographic exhibition “Tigers of Ranthambhore” is currently on display at the Gandhi Memorial Center in Bethesda, clearly approaches the tigers which are the focus of his photography from a poetic view.
Commanders Camp for Kids: A Summer of Football, Fun, and Team Spirit
This summer, the Commanders Camp for Kids offers young athletes in the D.C. area an exciting, non-competitive youth football experience inspired by the Washington Commanders. The camp, hosted in the greater D.C. region (including Northern Virginia), is instructional, blending skill development and physical activity with an emphasis on fundamentals, teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship in a supportive, pressure-free environment.
City Ratifies Partnership with County: Approves $127.2M for Willard-Sherwood
FAIRFAX CITY, Va. — In a unanimous vote on April 28, the Fairfax City Council approved a partnership with Fairfax County to advance the long-planned Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center, a major joint investment designed to expand access to health services, recreation, and community programming.
Fairfax County Approves FY 2027 Budget: Lower Tax Rate Offers Limited Relief as Costs Rise
Fairfax County, VA — After months of deliberation, public hearings, and revisions, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has officially approved the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, setting the county’s financial course for the year ahead while highlighting the ongoing tension between rising costs and taxpayer impact. The adopted...
Trees Over Tarmac: Why Fairfax City Council Made the Right Call
The City Council recently made a tough, controversial decision to stop funding the George Snyder Trail. While some people see this as a step backward for recreation, I see it as a win for common sense, fiscal responsibility, and the environment.